Texans' relentless Watt on a record pace

Updated 2:10 am, Friday, October 5, 2012

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, recovering a fumble against Tennessee last week, was voted the AFC defensive player of the month after posting 7½ sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, recovering a fumble against Tennessee last week, was voted the AFC defensive player of the month after posting 7½ sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Four-game sack wonders

Four-game sack wonders

Photo: Houston Chronicle Graphic

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) screams to the crowd before his game against the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston. The Houston Texans won 38-14.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) screams to the crowd before his game against the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston. The Houston Texans won 38-14.

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) stretches his jaw before his game against the Tennessee Titans Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston. The Houston Texans won 38-14.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) stretches his jaw before his game against the Tennessee Titans Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston. The Houston Texans won 38-14.

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) jokes with Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith (94) as the offense takes the field during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston. The Houston Texans won 38-14.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) jokes with Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith (94) as the offense takes the field during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) tries to get past the tackle of Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston.

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) tries to get past the tackle of Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) tries to get past the tackle of Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston.

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) tries to get past the tackle of Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) tussles with Tennessee Titans guard Leroy Harris (64) as a referee tries to break them up during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) tussles with Tennessee Titans guard Leroy Harris (64) as a referee tries to break them up during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) slaps hands with fans as he leaves the field after the Texans beat the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston. The Texans beat the Titans 38-14.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) slaps hands with fans as he leaves the field after the Texans beat the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Houston. The Texans beat the

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2011 file photo, Indianapolis Colts' Dan Orlovsky is tackled by Houston Texans' J.J. Watt during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis. Watt leads the Texans in tackles for loss and made the defensive play of their season in last week's win over Cincinnati. Houston takes on the Baltimore Ravens in an NFL Divisional playoff game on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012.

FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2011 file photo, Indianapolis Colts' Dan Orlovsky is tackled by Houston Texans' J.J. Watt during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis. Watt leads the Texans in tackles

FILE - In the Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 file photo Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, center, shakes hands with Tim Jamison (96) as he walks off the field along with Shaun Cody (95) and J.J. Watt (99) after an NFL football practice, in Houston. Phillips again proved why he is among the best at coaching one unit. Houston's defensive improvement, even without Mario Williams for much of the season, has been sensational. And when Phillips was sidelined for kidney/gall bladder surgery in December, Houston promptly lost two straight.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) scores on an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) scores on an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Photo: AP

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton was sacked during the third quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton was sacked during the third quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday,

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday,

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) grabs Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) for a sack during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday,

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt heads down field to score on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt heads down field to score on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday,

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) scores on an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) scores on an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez, Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt screams after their 31-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengalsin an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt screams after their 31-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengalsin an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez, Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

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Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after winning an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 31-10.

Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after winning an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 31-10.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez, Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

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Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after winning an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 31-10.

Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after winning an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 31-10.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez, Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) scores on an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) scores on an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans fans cheer after J.J. Watt scored a touchdown on an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans fans cheer after J.J. Watt scored a touchdown on an interception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in

Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after winning an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 31-10.

Houston Texans' J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after winning an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston. The Texans won 31-10.

Photo: AP

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt celebrates his touchdown on an interception of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton during the second quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game Saturday,

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) encourages the crowd during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) encourages the crowd during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Houston.

Photo: AP

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) encourages the crowd during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Houston.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) encourages the crowd during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Houston.

Photo: AP

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Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, right, is hugged by defensive end J.J. Watt (99) after an NFL football practice Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, in Houston. Phillips will take a medical leave due to a scheduled surgical procedure later this week. He is expected to return later this season.

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, right, is hugged by defensive end J.J. Watt (99) after an NFL football practice Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, in Houston. Phillips will take a medical leave due

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, center, shakes hands with Tim Jamison (96) as he walks off the field along with Shaun Cody (95) and J.J. Watt (99) after an NFL football practice Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, in Houston. Phillips will take a medical leave due to a scheduled surgical procedure later this week. He is expected to return later this season.

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, center, shakes hands with Tim Jamison (96) as he walks off the field along with Shaun Cody (95) and J.J. Watt (99) after an NFL football practice Wednesday,

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert during the second half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. The Texans won 20-13.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert during the second half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert (11) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in Jacksonville, Fla. Houston won 20-13.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert (11) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in Jacksonville, Fla. Houston won

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first day of their NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first day of their NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first day of their NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first day of their NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Texans' relentless Watt on a record pace

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HOUSTON — The magnificent start of defensive end J.J. Watt's second season has historic implications.

Watt has been the NFL's best defensive player during the Texans' 4-0 start with 32 tackles, 7½ sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback pressures, five passes deflected and two fumble recoveries.

No wonder he was voted AFC defensive player of the month Thursday.

Since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, Watt is the first player since Kevin Greene in 1998 to have multiple sacks in each of the first four games of a season.

If Watt can register at least 1½ sacks against the New York Jets on Monday night, he'll be one game short of Michael Strahan's NFL record of six in a row with multiple sacks. During his six-game stretch in 2001, Strahan had 14 sacks on his way to the league record of 22½.

“You love the fanatical effort,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said about Watt. “The guy plays with his hair on fire. The size (6-foot-5, 295 pounds), strength, athleticism — it's rare to find a guy with that kind of combination.

“Obviously, if you have a vote for defensive player of the year, how do you not give it to that young man? He's been absolutely tremendous.”

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Watt is the first to acknowledge that he wouldn't be able to compile such impressive numbers without so much talent around him.

“I understand it's not just me,” Watt said. “It's the whole team, not just one guy. I don't think they (offenses) can give me special attention because of all the other players we have. That creates a lot of trouble. I need to give a lot of credit to those guys because they keep blockers off of me.”

Since 1982, only eight players have registered more sacks than Watt in their first four games.

Denver's Elvis Dumervil, who recorded eight in 2009, is the only active player in that group. The New York Giants' Lawrence Taylor, the only player in the group who's a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, had eight in his first three games in 1984.

“I know my brother (Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan) was wanting him (in last year's draft) but lost out in that battle,” Rex Ryan said. “They took that (offensive) tackle (Tyron Smith) instead, and Houston got Watt. He might be the first overall pick if you're having that draft all over again. As a defensive coach all my life, he's one of those rare guys that come along once in a long time.”

What makes Watt's performance particularly impressive is that the Texans' defense has been on the field an average of only 24 minutes, 28 seconds per game because the offense ranks second in the NFL in average time of possession.

Houston defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who has been Watt's strongest supporter, said his defensive end became as good as any defensive lineman in the NFL during the playoffs last season when he had 14 tackles, 3½ sacks and an interception return for a touchdown.

Watt picked up where he left off. He now has 11 sacks in six games, counting the postseason.

During his long career as a head coach and defensive coordinator, Phillips has coached Hall of Fame defensive linemen like Reggie White (Philadelphia) and Bruce Smith (Buffalo).

In White's best four-game stretch, he had 10 sacks in 1986. Smith had nine in 1990.

Phillips has compared Watt with Howie Long (Raiders), who's considered the best 3-4 defensive end league history. Long never recorded sacks in four consecutive games. In 1983, he had seven in a three-game stretch.

Like Long and White, Minnesota's John Randle played outside and inside during his Hall of Fame career. The best four-game stretch of Randle's career was 6½ sacks in 1997, when he finished with 15½.

“I've seen guys dominating in my years, but I have never seen the start of a year that J.J. is having,” said defensive end Antonio Smith, who plays next to Watt.

Even Watt's offensive teammates are impressed.

“He's been doing a lot of damage, and it just shows the hard work he puts in,” receiver Andre Johnson said. “He's playing his butt off. He's a beast out there. We expect to hear his name called at least four or five times a game, so it doesn't surprise me what he's doing.”